Wilmington, Delaware and Cold
Spring Harbor, New York
July 31, 2007
R&D collaboration to bring new
choices, more options to global agriculture
DuPont (NYSE: DD) and
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
today announced they have entered into a multi-year research
collaboration for crop genetics research on yield enhancement
and development of enabling technologies in corn, soybeans and
other important agricultural crops. Terms of the agreement were
not disclosed.
"We're eager to tap into the
creativity of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists and put
our combined innovation to work in the challenges farmers face
around the world," said William S. Niebur, vice president -
DuPont Crop Genetics Research and Development.
"Increasing crop yields is
critical to meet growing global demands for food, feed,
fuel and fiber," Niebur said. "The collaboration will develop
technologies that accelerate the rate of yield increase, as well
as traits that will bring value to farmers worldwide."
"This collaboration will
accelerate the contributions of plant biology and bioinformatics
research to improve global agriculture," said Bruce Stillman,
president - Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory. "The fusion of our
academic and
industry research strengths will produce unique approaches to
advance plant science in areas of mutual interest."
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business and world leader in
agricultural plant genetics, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
(CSHL), an internationally recognized leader in plant biology,
have collaborated on individual projects
over the past decade. This multi-project, multi-year effort will
allow for a deeper sharing of information that aims to
facilitate unique approaches to long-term agronomic challenges.
Several teams of researchers from
both organizations will make use of extensive genomics data,
trait information and germplasm resources from Pioneer in the
discovery research collaboration. Pioneer also will have
responsibility for bringing innovations and technologies
resulting from the collaboration to the marketplace.
Founded in 1890, CSHL is a
private, non-profit research and education institution with
programs in cancer, neuroscience, plant genetics, genomics and
bioinformatics. The transposable genetic elements, or "jumping
genes," discovered in the middle of the 20th Century at CSHL by
Nobel prize winner Barbara McClintock, are the building blocks
of plant genetics research today. CSHL is at the forefront of
research to isolate plant genes and unravel the genomic
sequences of plants such as Arabidopsis, maize and rice.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont
business, is the world's leading source of customized
solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed
processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer
provides access to
advanced plant genetics in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based
products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts
science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a
better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating
in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of
innovative products and services for markets including
agriculture and food; building and construction; communications;
and transportation.
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